Crane



B. S. SNOW Jan. 27. 1925.

CRANE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Edf Snow

U ZH?.

" Jmz?. 1925.

B. S. SNOW CRANE Filed Feb. 23, 1922- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 27, 1925.

UNITED SITES PATENT ortica. ,o

BARTON s. sNo-w, or BATAVIA, ILLINOIS, AssIGNor. To T.W. sNOw CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, OI cHIcAGO, ILLINOIS, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

CRANE.

Application led February 23, 1922. Seria1 No. 538,717.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BARTON S. SNOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Batavia, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cranes, of which the following is a specification.

Wy invention relates to cranes for use in delivering' liquid, 'preferably either water, or fuel oil, to locomotives, this general type of apparatus being commonly located alongside of railway tracks for delivering the liquid to locomotives thereon.

Locomotive tenders are commonly provided with the filling whether the tender is to'be used for receiving oil to be employed as the fuel for operating the locomotive, or vwater from which the steam is to be generated, at different heights, there being no uniformity in this respect and, therefore, the filling spout of the crane must be adapted to be adjusted vertically to correspond with the vario-us heights of tank-filler-openings. As the spouts of the cranes are generally pivotally supported at the upper endl of the column the extremities of the spouts are shifted horizontally, in the swinging movement of the spout, in moving through an arc, a considerable distance in moving from one extreme position vertically to another extreme position to accommodate it to the various tank-filler openings. In fact, as cranes have hitherto been constructed, it is not. possible to fill all the different sized tenders, due to the relatively great movement of the extremity of the spout in a horizontal direction in the vertical swinging movement referred to. In this connection it is one o-f my objects to provide a crane of such construction that for any given range of vertical movement of the extremity of the spout, the horizontal movement thereof will be materially reduced, as compared with constructions as hitherto provided or in other words, the extremity' of the spout will describe a curved path of a greater radius than in prior constructions, it being understood that for reasons of economy in construction, and oftentimes by reasonv of the necessity of placing the crane closely adjacent to the track, as well as for other reasons, it is desirable that the crane be located as close openings thereof,

to the track'as possible and still permit it. to be adapted for the filling of tanks l'hav- Ing heights.

' Another feature of my invention relates more particularly to a crane provided for delivery of vfuel oil, or any other liquid which it is desired be conserved, and which is not drained away from the crane such as is the case in the use of water cranes, and which, it is desired, be retained in the crane against wastage; and in this connection it is one of my objects to'provide means whereby the liquid-remaining in the crane after completing the fillingof a receptacle from the crane, is retained therein.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure l shows, by ya View in elevation, a crane for use in delivering liquid, such as fuel oil, and the supply of which is to be conserved, the spout portionof the crane being shown by full linesl in the normal raised position occupied by it when not in use except thatthe column on which it is supportedwould .be swung upon its axis throughout one quarter of a revolution from the position shown in this figure, to cause the spout to substantially parallel thetrack (not shown), alongside of which the crane is located, and by dotted lines one of the positions occupied by the spout when in tank filling position. Figure la is a longitudinal section through thevalve-equipped spout, the section being taken at the line la on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 2 is an enlarged section taken at the line 2 2 on Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 3 is an enlarged broken section taken at vthe line 3 8 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 4, a modification of the construction shown lin the preceding figures.,

Referring to the construction shown vin Figs. l, 2 and 3, the crane comprises an upright, hollow, column 5 shown as formed of three aligning, end-to-end littings, sections 6, 7 and 8, this column being rotatably supported at its lower end in the bearing portion 9 of the upwardly extending tubular portion l0 of `an elbow l1 suitably supported, in the arrangement shown, in a pit filling openings extending at dierentV .With anoperating lever 19 shown as pivotally l'connected therewith at 20, and by means of which column 5 may be rotatedasl desired oni-theibearing support 10.

`l connection Y thus provided. .socket-connection referred to is shown as i rIhe crane also comprises a laterally extendingspout, or pipe, section 21V located at the upper end of the column 5- and having-l Ahollow ball-and socket connection therewith, y-,adapting the spout section 21 to be movedvertically on the column 5 at the pivotal The ball and provided :at the upper end of the column 5 *,iwith its center .co-incident with the longiand the `member A3 being flanged as repretudinal axis of this column, andinrthe particular construction vshown comprises the following` described parts. rlhe socket p0rtion of the Vjoint and represented generally at 22, comprises the lower, hollow rmember 23 presenting an internal, segmental,

i spherical surface 24, the member 23 opening at its neck portion 25 into the upper end of the .section 6 at the-column 5, the section 6 sented at k26 and 27 by which portions they .are secured together as by bolts 28. `The socket portion 22 also comprises a ring shaped member 29 superposing the section d3 and secured .thereto as bythe bolts 30 the ring member 29 being shown as provided withscrews A31 having threaded engagement therewith and screwing down against a packing ring 29EL confined between the members 23 and 29 and bearingagainst thehereinafterdescribedball portion to the joint.

The ball portion of the joint isrepresentedat 32, this member being of hollow form open at its lower end its exterior surfacev I being of a segmental,4 spherical contour.

AThe ball vmember 32 is located within the socket member liereinbefore-v described and while confined therein against vertical dis- ;'pl-ace1nent-,-isv adapted to rockin the socket portion. The member 32 is formed with an upwardly :extending hollow neck portion 33 openingat itsflowerenduinto the interior i ofthe ball -portionof the-member 32 and at its upperfend into a depending tubular porf tionv 34 provided asa part of the spout 21` v and communicating with the-interior of the i latter., the members 32 and 34 being provided Ff with anges 35.and36 respectively, at `which The column 5 is showny 7^ `of theA column is these parts are secured together as by bolts 37.

V4Means are provided for preventing swinging movement of the spout 21 on. the column 5, except in a vertical direction, these means comprising bracket members 38 `secui'ed to thesection 32, atopposite sides of the ball and socket joint, by the bolts 37, these :brackets being provided at their depending portions with pins 39 arranged in line with `the point aboutfwhich the ball section 32 rotates in the socket member and extending into sockets 40 contained in the socket-section 23.

The crane alsocomprises means for noi'- mally, yieldingly holding the e spout section 21 inthe raised position shownV in full lines in Fig. l, these means, shown as of a construction commonly employed forthis same general purpose in water cranes, Vcomprising a coiled spring 41 connected at its lower end with a bolt 42 interlockingly cn- 4gagmg with a lug 43 on the column o, and

connectedat its upper end, through the medium of the rod 44, with the rear end of the spout section 21, the spring being shown as encased in a cylinder represented at 45.

In the particular construction shown the valve mechanism for controlling the dischargeof liquid through the spout 21, is

vlocated wholly within the latter except for the actuatingl hand-wheel hereinafter referred to,- this valve mechanism, which may be of any desirable construction, the particular construction shown being that disclosed in my pending application for S. Patent, Serial No. 538,718, filed February 23, 1922, being represented at 46and controllablethrough the medium of the handwlieel r47 above mentioned, journalled on the spout 21 .adjacent its outlet, any suitable connections being provided between the valve 46 andthe hand-wheel 47 for effecting Athe control of the valve through the medium of thisMhand-wheel', the connections being located in the particular arrangement shown, within the spout section 21.

Y VrIhe particular crane shown being provided for use with liquid, thesupply of which is to be conserved to avoid waste, and rspilling thci'eoffrom the spoilt upon the road-bed, is to be-avoided, I preferably provide the discharge end of the spout 21 as a separate,elbow.section represented at 48 swivelled at one end to thefbody portion of the spout rbeyondv the hand-wheel 47, to

vadapt the discharge end 49 of the section 48 to be in ovedinto aposition in which it extends upwardly as shown in `full lines in Fig. 1, orfextends downwardly as by dotted lines in this figure. In the use of the crane for-discharging liquid therefrom into a receptacle, the section 48 would be turned at itsconnection Awith'the body portion of the spout 21, to the-'depending position shtwii 'loo by dotted lines in Fig. l, and at the conclusion of the filling operation, the operator would rotate the section 48 on the body portion of the spout to cause its discharge end 49 to extend upwardly, and prevent the spilling of the liquid from the spout, this feature of my construction also preventing objectionable spilling of the liquid from the` gether that they rotate as a unit about a vertical axis, so that the operator, followposition in which it extends ing the completion of the filling operation,v

and in swinging the spout section 2l to a out of the path of trains running on the track adjacent the crane, effects a turning of the column 5 on,

. the bearing support 9, and to releasably maintain the column against rotation, I provide the lever 19, which may also serve as a means for turning the column, which cooperates with a pair of lugs 50 spaced apart and extending laterally from the member 16 and into which space the operator positions the lever 19 for holding the column against rotation. t

The construction shown' in Figure l is particularly advantageous where the column 5 is formed of cast metal pipe sections, the section 7 being shown as provided with a groove 51 in its periphery to cause the column to be weakened at this point to a suf.

icient degree to insure the fracturing of the column at the section 7, should the crane he subjected to stresses sufficient to impair it. I

The construction shown in Fig. 4t is the same as that shown in the preceding figures, except that the column represented at 5a in this case is shown as formed of a single pipe section which may be, and preferably is, of steel, the lower end of this column being rigidly connected, against rotation, with the pipe through which the liquid is supplied to the crane, this pipe being represented at 13a. In this particular construction the ball and socket connection between the spout 2l and the column 5a is the saine as that described in the preceding figures except that the studs 39 are omitted, whereby the spout is free to be moved on the column 5a, except as yieldingly restrained by the spring 41, in all directions, except that it cannot rock on an axis extending lengthwise of the spout, as the brackets 38, in co-operating with the annular peripheral surfaces of the socket sections 23 and 29 prevent such rocking movement.

It will be noted that in both of the con- 'as intending to limit my structions shown the center of the ball and socket connection between the spout and the column is in vertical alignment with the longitudinal axis of the column and thus, the arc described by the discharge end of the spout in swinging lin a vertical plane, kis of relatively great radius, as compared with those structures wherein the pivotal connection of the spout with the column is forward of the vertical axis of the column, and Ythe crane is thereby adapted for use in filling tenders the heights at which the filling openings therein extend above the ground vary within wide ranges.

It will also be noted that by locating the connections between'l the valve-actuating element, the hand-wheel 47 in the construction shown, and the valve-pipes, these parts are not subject to the weather and` thus freezing of the same, impairing their operation, is avoided. f

While I have illustrated 'and described certain forms in which my invention may be provided, I do not wish to be understood as the same may be Vvariously `modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention, andthe invention may be provided in various other forms.

What I claim as new, and desire'to secure f by Letters Patent, is:

'1. A crane comprising tion extending laterally fromsaid column at the upper end of the latter and swingable thereon in a substantially vertical plane, the axis about which said pipe sec-4 tion' swings being in substantially vertical alignment with the vertical longitudinal axis of .said column,\and valve mechanism located adjacent the upper end of said column, the outlet end of said pipe section being formed of a rotatably-supported portion having a downwardlydirected outlet opening adapting said portion to be swung into and out of a position in which said outlet opening extends downwardly.

2. A crane having an upright hollow column rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, and a pipe section extending laterally from said columnat the upper end; of the latter, and a hollow substantially vertically disposed ball-and-socket connection between said pipe section and said column, and means preventing rotary movement of said pipe section on said column on an axis extending lengthwise of said pipe section.

3. A crane having an upright hollow column rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pipe section extending laterally from said column at the upper end of the latter, a hollow substantially vertically disposed ball-and-socket connection between said pipe section and said column with the center of said connection in substantially vertical invention thereto,

j an upwardlyextending hollow'column, and a pipe secsalignment with the longitudinal Aaxis of said -=eolumn,\ andi means preventing rot-ary-rmoveinentvot said pipe-section on saidlcolumn on Ytending hollow column,- and a pipe section an" axis extending lengthwise' of said -pipe lsection.

il. A crane-compinising an upwardly-ex l tending hollow coluiiiii,land a vpipesection extending laterally trom said column atthe j upper end of the latter with a jointbetween said pipe section and column'v adapting on said column, and a v fvalvelocated in said `pipe section in lsub-A ball-and-socke-t connection pipe section to'swing stantial vQ'crtical alineinent with* said o-int.

5,. A crane having 'an upright hollow column rotatable about a substantially vertical laxis, and a pipe section extending laterally fromv saidv column at-"the upper end' substantially vertically f disposed ball-and-s'ocket iconnection between said pipe section -andsaid column',` andemeanslatter, and a hollow preventing rotary movement'of said pipe section on said `column onV anax-is extending Vlengthwise of said-pipe section, 'Y and`l in a horizontal v plane.

6. Afcrane having ank upright hollow col- I yumn rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a pipev section vextending ylaterally from said column at the vupperend'ottlielatter, a hollow #substantially verticallyId-isposed between said pipe section and said column with thecenten of saidv connection in substantially JAvertical alignment with the longitudinal axis" of 'said column, and means preventingrotary movenientv of saidpipe section on said/column on anaxis extendinglengthwise of said-pipe section, and ina horizontalplane.

7. yA crane 'comprising an' upwaidlyfextendinghollow column, and a pipe section extending laterally fromv said column at the:

upper end oftheilatter, a'hollow substanytially verticalV disposed ball-andso`cketY `connection between said Ipipe ysection 'and said column, and v"r'ied by said pipe section and located at opposite sides of, and cooperating fwitli, that said f otr-thel f r'ied'by said pipesection, portionsvwliich extend at opposite and engage with, and-socket which is carried by said column vand prevents said pipe section from rotata pair of spaced-apart lugs car 'portion of the ball-and-socket' which is carried 'by said column.

8. A crane comprising an rupwardly-ex- I'iectio'n between said pipe section and said column, the ball portion of said connection being on said pipe section and the socket 'portion on said. column, and a pair of spaced- -apart lugs carried by said pipe section and located at opposite sides olf, and cooperating with, the socket portion on said column.

9. A crane comprising an upwardly-exitending hollow column, and a pipe section extending laterally from said column at the upper end of the latter, a hollow substantially vertically disposed ball-and-socketconnection 'between said pipe section and said column, and a pair of'spaced-apart l-ugs carsaidlugs having sides of, that portion of the balling on its longitudinal axis.

10. A crane comprising an upwardly-extending liollow column, and a pipe section extending laterally from said column at the upper end of thelatter and swiiigable thereon in a substantially vertical plane, the axis about'whichsaid pipe section swings being in substantially vertical alignment with the vertical longitudinal axis of saidcolumn,

and valve` mechanism located adjacent the upper end of said column in substantially vertical alignment with said axis, the outlet 'end' of said pipe section being yformed oit a rotatably-supported portion having a downwardly-directed outlet opening adapting said portion to be swung into and out of a 4position in which said outlet opening extendsdownwardly.

- BARTON S; SNOV. 

